PHILIP Dazeley this month became the 55th president of the Rotary Club of Ross-on-Wye. He said: ''My special local interest is to assist those who are visually or physically handicapped, to try and improve the facilities for the young people of our town and help them prepare for a career whilst at school. We work very closely with John Kyrle High School and the local junior schools.'' He added: ''My wife, Pat, is chief executive of the Herefordshire Association for the Blind. She is also president of Inner Wheel, which is made up of the wives, partners and widows of Rotarians." Other Rotary activities during the year will focus on supporting the locally-based Salter's Hill charity, the small national charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Rotary's international campaigns. On the social front, members hope to be visiting the twin club in Odall, Norway. Philip Dazeley said: ''We are a dual gender club which genuinely welcomes women members. For the last two years we have raised in the region of £20,000. Our Rotary District raised over £600,000 in three weeks in support of the Tsunami victims."

Anyone interested in learning more about Rotary is invited to contact membership secretary, David Burgess. A message can be left at the Royal Hotel where meetings are held on Monday evenings.